2016 June 24

   Aziza Cooper writes:  Yesterday, June 23, about 4 pm, I went to Government House on Rockland Street. The usual hotspot is a lawn in an opening in the Douglas firs due east of the big main house.  I was enthralled to see a constant flurry of Western Tiger Swallowtails chasing around the clearing with up to six dancing together up to the treetops. I estimated 15 individuals circulating around the area. I watched them for 20 minutes or more admiring their constant motion and numbers.

   Also there were one each of Pale Tiger Swallowtail, Cabbage White, Red Admiral and Lorquin’s Admiral.  At the herb garden west of the big house, there was an Anise Swallowtail and a Lorquin’s Admiral, and six other Cabbage White butterflies around the grounds.

   The swallowtail show is really worth a visit!

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  The tiger swallowtails were putting on a good show, too, on Mount Tolmie last night.  I’m sure the scientists will differ, but I got the strong impression that they were cavorting around and chasing each other for the pure joy of it.

Swallowtails Papilio (Lep.: Papilionidae) Aziza Cooper

Anise Swallowtail Papilio zelicaon (Lep.: Papilionidae) Aziza Cooper

   Jeremy Tatum writes: The moth below emerged today from a cocoon formed by a caterpillar found last year on Douglas Fir in East Sooke Park.

 Panthea virginarius (Lep.: Noctuidae)  Jeremy Tatum